Lone Star Outdoor News Exotics Annual 2023

The hunting never stops

See page 12

A Place to Shoot

San Antonio, 210-628-1888

Abilene Indoor Gun Range

Abilene, 325-698-4224

Able Ammo

Huntsville, 936-295-5786

AJC Sports

Clute, 979-265-4867

Ally Outdoors

Midland, 972-332-3700

Richardson, 972-332-3700

Alpha Armory

Houston, 888-932-7660

Alpine Shooting Range

Ft Worth, 817-478-6613

Americana Arms, LLC

Beeville, 361-362-3673

Athena Gun Club

Houston, 713-461-5900

BPS Outfitters

Sherman, 903-832-2227

BTO Range

Conroe, 936-588-3333

Buck & Doe’s Mercantile, LLC

San Antonio, 830-980-3637

C.A.C Tactical

Southlake, 888-211-8191

Caroline Colt Company LLC

Abilene, 325-232-7501

Carroll’s Gun Shop

Whaton, 979-532-3175

Carter’s Country

Houston, 713-461-1844

Houston, 281-879-1466

Pasadena, 713-475-2222

Spring, 281-443-8393

DFW Shooting Sports

Bedford, 817-285-0664

Champion Firearms

College Station, 979-693-9948

Collectors Firearms

Houston, 713-781-5812

Danny's, Inc.

McAllen, 956-687-4692

Defender Outdoors

Fort Worth, 817-935-8377

DFW Gun Club

Dallas, 214-630-4866

Dury's Gun Shop

San Antonio, 210-533-5431

Field & Streams Sporting Goods

San Angelo, 325-944-7094

Fun Guns Waco, 254-755-0080

Gibson’s

Weatherford, 817-594-8711

Glick Twins

Pharr, 956-787-429

GRITR Sports

N. Richland Hills, 817-200-7470

Grabagun.com

Coppell, 972-552-7246

Guard & Defend Firearms

Silsbee, 409-201-9468

Guns Warehouse LLC

Cedar Park, 512-986-7330

Hoss Arms, LLC

New Braunfels, 830-609-8891

John Doe Investigations, LLC

Lewisville, 214-773-0129

Kirkpatrick Gun & Ammo

Laredo, 956-723-6338

Marksmen Firearms

Mansfield, 817-453-8680

McBride's Guns

Austin, 512-472-3532

Misson Ridge Range & Academy

San Antonio, 210-504-9000

Mister Guns LLC

Plano, 214-901-7429

Modern Pawn & Guns

Corpus Christi, 361-993-9390

Nagel's Gun Shop, Inc.

San Antonio, 210-342-5420

Nardis Gun Club

San Antonio, 210-369-9199

Omaha Outdoors

Rosenberg, 713-703-4648

Past & Blast Antiques & Firearms

Whitesboro, 903-564-5444

Point Blank Sporting Goods

Pharr, 956-992-8799

Primary Arms

Houston, 713-344-9600

Ranger Firearms of Texas Inc.

San Antonio, 210-822-4867

FROM WORK TO PLAY

WHATEVER YOUR ADVENTURE IS, WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.

About the Cover:

Claiming 17,000 acres of soil between the Hill Country and the plains of South Texas is a slice of hunting heaven unlike any other. RecordBuck Ranch boasts incredibly diverse habitat across a blend of rolling hills and grasslands, making it a perfect place for large herds of animals to thrive.

Native species like white-tailed deer and elk call the property home, as do more than 50 species of exotics, from axis to zebra. Hunting is a year-round activity at RecordBuck.

Guests return every year for the same enjoyment of the facilities, the service and, of course, the incredible hunting.

Lifelong friendships are formed with all of the staff. Experienced and knowledgeable guides are eager to get their hunters on the biggest trophies. World-class accommodations, including home-cooked meals each day, cozy lodging, an open bar and a friendly staff, make each stay an experience worth repeating.

Come for the hunting and stay for the laughter and good times! RecordBuck is still booking for summer, but book soon.

RECORDBUCK RANCH

☎ (830) 966-2301

✉ info@recordbuck.com

RECORDBUCK.COM

844-782-COLD (2653)

RECORDBUCK RANCH IS 17,000 ACRES SITUATED BETWEEN THE HILL COUNTRY AND THE PLAINS OF SOUTH TEXAS.

THE AREA

It’s no secret backcountry hunts present their own unique set of challenges. In order to be self-sufficient the entire time you’re afield, you typically have to carry everything you need on your person. And, that means you have to be especially meticulous when selecting gear to ensure it has the durability required and a manageable size and weight.

The old adage, “ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain,” certainly applies to most backcountry hunts, as excessive weight often results in hunters leaving certain items behind. Hearing protection commonly misses the cut, but it doesn’t have to be that way with the right suppressor. Enter the new .30-caliber Banish

The entire Banish lineup prides itself on being quiet and lightweight, but the Backcountry takes things to a different level. You get the same unmatched sound suppression and durable titanium construction as the flagship Banish 30 suppressor, but in a package that’s shorter and lighter than ever before.

The Backcountry is a fixed-length suppressor that measures 5.5 inches in length and weighs just 7.8 ounces. That’s a full 1.3 inches shorter and 2.2 ounces lighter than the Banish 30 in its short configuration. That may not sound like much, but it makes a world of difference for backcountry adventurers who carefully pack their gear with size and weight in mind.

Rated for calibers up to the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM), the Banish Backcountry utilizes six baffles that drop the decibel level down to 135 dB for .308 Win., 137 dB for .300 Win. Mag, and 138 dB for .300 RUM — all of which fall below the hearing-safe threshold.

A Champion in Texas

By David J. Sams Lone Star outdoor newS

When driving up to the colossal buildings of the Champion Ranch near Rochelle, the hospitality starts at the curb and never lets up. My wife, Adrienne, and I were distracted by the staff waving and smiling as we arrived. We were smiling back as we opened the doors and said our hellos. We both had a feeling we were going to enjoy this place. The group quickly unloaded our truck and stored our belongings in our room.

A tour of the 60,000 square-foot trophy room took almost an hour, but we had a delicious margarita in our hands, and Kani Darden, the office manager, just kept opening doors. There are nine different themed rooms, mostly hidden under incredible taxidermy or through a themed portal.

We visited with our professional hunter and guide, Johan Louw, who is from South Africa. He travels back during the hunting season on the Dark Continent and was leaving in a couple of weeks, but he was eager to get us out on the ranch for a game drive.

Our room was called The Sheep Cabin — an old, restored cabin from North Carolina. For some added excitement, there was a mounted bear peering into our shower — it looked like he had torn off the roof trying to get in. The reclaimed wood, old bottle window and the luxurious but simple bedding all added to the experience. And, if you like the mattress, you can order one at checkout and they will ship it to your home.

Dinners are served to order with four main menu choices, and the red snapper dish was excellent. Louw was champing at the bit to get us in the UTV, so we made a quick trip at sundown. It seemed many of the 60-plus different species of animals from around the globe had eaten their fill on the fresh, green grass that had sprung up after a recent rain.

After that, the bar was calling our name again, and the friendly bartenders kept us entertained with great drinks and conversation.

If you are really adventurous, there is a Speakeasy hidden under a river with water buffalo and other mounted animals. This is a private club, and some of the locals prefer to have the seclusion. But we liked the openness and friendliness of the big main bar.

The next morning, we left early on our game drive and found the animals up and feeding during the cool morning. Our first big surprise was a nice herd of zebras, and then we found Waldo, the giraffe. On this morning he was friendly and curious, but sometimes you can’t find him for days, Louw told us. We kept spotting this and that — a dama gazelle, a blesbok, Arabian oryx — and then we saw something “local.” A hog was looking right at us as we rounded a curve, and before we stopped, Louw had handed me a Champion Ranch custom rifle and yelled, “Shoot!”

ear. She turned as the bullet left the end of the suppres sor, ending in a nice Texas heart shot.

We eased back to the lodge for breakfast where we were rewarded for shooting a wild hog. Steve Owens (Steve O), Champion Ranch manager, announced he gives anyone a special cap for shooting varmints on the ranch.

Our mid-morning drive took us to the center of Texas where a monument shows Lat 31’ 21’ N Long 99’ 14’ W — the real geographic center of Texas.

We visited the bovine pasture and saw some of the cool large creatures: white bison, water buffalo, a yak and more.

After a smash burger and an hour to rest, Louw took Adrienne to the range to teach her some safari shooting skills. Because she’s going on her first safari soon, one-on-one training from a South African professional hunter couldn’t have come at a better time. She came back smiling and showing photos of the 300-yard target she hit perfectly.

Our afternoon drive was filled with more animal herds from around the world, and we seemed to get closer to most than we did in the morning. After a day, we still hadn’t seen all 8,000 acres of this rolling hills ranch. Much of it has good, thick habitat, so guests may never see it all.

The ribeye dinner was followed by the second-best tres leches cake I have had. Sundowners on the highest porch in the lodge with a view for miles revealed more rain on the horizon, and we traded stories with Louw into the night.

The next morning, with coffee in hand, we drove past the red lechwe herd that seemed to hang around the lodge and found ourselves casting for largemouth in the 36-acre lake.

The post-spawn fish were a bit finicky, but we man aged to catch a few on top-water lures. The lake record is ing in more of the incredible taxidermy and whimsical designs that adorn the trophy room. Our handshakes and hugs were long as we said goodbye to our new

David J. Sams

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES FOR EVERYDAY USE

HISUN Motors Corporation has been making quality and revolutionary allterrain vehicles for some of the biggest names in the motorsports industry. Now, HISUN is a major motorsports supplier in the U.S., thanks to its new 300,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters in McKinney.

HISUN’S MISSION

HISUN aims to bring to market a range of ATVs and UTVs for everyday use that make life easier and recreational activities more enjoyable. These activities include maintaining ranches and farmlands, hunting, fishing and other offroad adventures. No matter how one uses an ATV or UTV, HISUN Motors creates functional and affordable all-terrain vehicles that get the job done right, whether one is working or having fun.

HISTORY

HISUN Motors was founded in 1988 in a small garage producing spare parts for motorcycles and ATVs. By 1998, the company began producing ATV models under the HISUN name. The company then expanded outside China into other countries, soon after entering the Australian, Canadian and U.S. markets.

In 2016, HISUN Motors established a research and development center in the United States to better understand its American customers’ needs. The facility would also provide design input on future models and focus on building products specifically for the U.S. market. In 2018, HISUN opened a distribution center in Toronto, Canada, followed in 2019 by a production facility in Vietnam. In 2022, the company opened a new 600,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Coahuila, Mexico, to produce ATVs and UTVs for the North, Central and South American markets.

Today, HISUN Motors is one of the leading producers of off-road vehicles, with state-of-the-art facilities across the globe and in the U.S. Many new ATV and UTV models — including two EVs, namely the electric workhorse Sector E1 — have been introduced, with more to follow. Since its humble beginnings in 1988, the HISUN Motors of today has become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ATVs and UTVs and an incredible example of business success.

THE WORLD, ALL IN THE HEART OF TEXAS

You don’t need to fly across the globe for that unique hunting experience. At Champion Ranch, we have 8,000+ acres with over 65 unique species and memorable hunting excursions. Your next unforgettable hunt is waiting at Champion Ranch.

Red stag, exotics in the perfect setting

Do you dream of hunting a big red stag? At the Reserve Ranch, you can achieve your dreams right here in Texas.

According to owner John Ed Stepan, mature red stags are a key focus at the ranch, where you’ll see stags ranging from 300 to 500-plus inches!

“I started breeding them with New Zealand genetics, and we have some outstanding trophies to offer,” Stepan said. “A large, multi-tined stag is a sight to behold.”

Through a strategic relationship and years of breeding from some of the top bloodlines in the world, Reserve Ranch offers world-class red deer hunting at the expansive ranch north of La Pryor. It’s about an hour and a half from the San Antonio International Airport.

Stepan, a lifelong hunter who also operates Ranch Investments, began guiding exotic game hunts in the early 1980s in the Texas Hill Country, and purchased his first hunting ranch in 1993, and built it from the ground up. In 2000, he purchased 3,300 acres in South Texas, and added another 3,800 acres two years later, all of which he managed for big game.

Fatherhood eventually took priority in Stepan’s life, leading him to sell the ranches to focus on his growing children.

However, a decade later when his children were off to college, the Reserve Ranch property became available. Stepan and his avid hunting wife, Debra, purchased the ranch with the goal of turning it into the premier hunting ranch in Texas.

The Reserve Ranch encompasses 5 square miles of some of the best habitat

in South Texas and is bordered by 2 1/2 miles of one of the best stretches on the Nueces River.

In addition to white-tailed deer, more than 20 species of exotics are managed on the ranch, and dove and upland bird hunting is available, too.

“Our dedication is to the preservation of big game animals through the funds generated by hunting,” Stepan said. “This is a proven method of game management utilized by governments and private nature reserves around the world.”

THE HACIENDA

The Stepans had a vision to create a destination in South Texas that embraces both the roots of the Spanish culture along with the dreams exemplified by so many Texans. Styled after the Historic Mission at Goliad, the Hacienda, with its inviting colonnade, courtyards and fountains, takes you to another place in time — Texas in the 1800s. Massive, ancient pecan trees draw you toward the lawn, flanked by the swimming pool and veranda before entering one of the 10 private guest rooms. Also off the colonnade sits an expansive trophy room displaying more than 250 species from around the globe, a card room and 25-seat theater. The dining hall seats 30, and sports a grand, vaulted ceiling and bar, welcoming guests to a gourmet meal coupled with a “Texas flair” after a day in the field, followed by a relaxing evening by the fire pit to share tales of the hunts.

“We are up and running,” Stepan said. “We took about 40 clients from September through March.”

RESERVE RANCH

☎ (512) 756-6445

✉ INFO@RESERVERANCH.COM RESERVERANCH.COM

HUNTING NEVER STOPS IN TEXAS

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star outdoor newS

There’s a boom going on with exotic wildlife, and it’s right here in Texas. Pete Moore, who owns a ranch in Leakey and was recently named president of the Exotic Wildlife Association, said the exotic industry has undergone an amazing transformation over the last five years.

Late spring and summer — when other hunting seasons are closed (except for feral hogs) — is a great time to think about exotics. The axis rut is taking place, as roars echo throughout the Hill Country.

When thinking about exotics, many hunters think axis and blackbuck antelope, both prolific on Texas ranches. But there are a lot more species available, and the number is growing. The fallow deer market is exploding, with prices setting records at EWA’s auction at its Annual Membership Meeting in March, and people are still buying.

There’s a great benefit to the exotic industry in the state. Several species, nearly gone from their native ranges, are thriving in Texas, thanks to ranchers. Scimitar-horned oryx, addax, dama gazelle and several other species far outnumber the animals in their native homes. Other species, like the Cape buffalo and red lechwe, are increasing.

The exotic industry isn’t new in Texas.

In 1854, camels were purchased through Congress, with the first animals arriving in 1855. In the 1940s and 1950s, ranchers who had been on African safaris saw the similarity in habitat to the Texas Hill Country and Brush Country. Several exotic species soon made their way to the state, including axis, blackbuck, nilgai, fallow, sika and red deer.

More species came over the decades, like gemsbok, oryx, sable and kudu.

The exotics industry has attracted former deer breeders, who exited the industry following the introduction of numerous disease-combating regulations.

Charly Seale, EWA’s executive director, said when compared with cattle, the land can support more animals with higher value.

“You can run seven axis for every cow, and three or four gemsbok,” he said. “The prices for the axis and gemsbok are a whole lot higher, although there is risk of loss, since they are wild animals.”

The exotics explosion isn’t only noticeable in the prices, either. Antler and horn sizes are on the way up, too, thanks to selective breeding.

The exotics business has had a rebirth, and hunters across the country are taking advantage of the added year-round opportunities in the state where hunting never stops.

Lili Keys

MAKING THE COMPLEX SIMPLE

Fusion Thermal optics combine power, accuracy and ease of use. The Avenger 55XR and Avenger 40 utilize the company’s T3 Three Button Control System, along with the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) menu.

“The ease of use is a big deal,” said Cameron Salvaggio of Owens Outdoor Sales. “You don’t want to have to look up in the dark to see what button you’re hitting, especially when you’re hog hunting.”

What hunters will find in the new thermal series is high-end features with a “simplicity first” design. Thermal sensors require lots of power, and the Avenger Series has ample power with the 18650 battery design, run in parallel, providing an industry-leading, 8-hour run time.

The Avenger series utilizes aircraftgrade aluminum housing, while most other brands use plastic.

“Thermals create a lot of heat, and the aluminum housing allows it to escape,” Salvaggio said. “Plastic holds in the heat and can degrade the sensor and core over time, which negatively affects image quality and overall clarity.”

Recently at a precision rifle expo, Salvaggio shot with all the main brands in the thermal industry. Two steel targets were set up, one at 200 yards and one at 500 yards. Both had a heating pad on the back of the target.

“Right before the night shoot started, the 500-yard target went out, so it was unheated,” he said. “There was very little differential in heat between the air, the berm, and the target.”

Each brand had its own bay to shoot, allowing customers to make their rounds and test out each thermal.

Fusion Thermal was the only brand that consumers could see and shoot the 500yard target, Salvaggio said. All the other brands stuck to the 200-yard range because they couldn’t see the longer, cooler target.

“One consumer, who shot an $18,000 scope, said you would think for 18K, you would be able to see the 500-yard target like you can with the Fusion Thermal,” Salvaggio said.

Angel Padilla, of Johnny’s Sport Shop in Eagle Lake, works full-time at the shop and also guides hog hunters at night with Sandy Creek Outfitters. Not only does he sell Fusion Thermal products, but he uses them himself.

“The units perform really well in humidity and fog, which a lot of other brands struggle with,” Padilla said.

“You can still see the animals in high humidity. And, I like the three-button system because you never have to look up to see where your fingers are.”

Hunters like to record their nighttime hog hunts, and the Avenger series

includes a full media package, including photo, video and audio capabilities, along with Fusion Thermal’s HeatSync App to make connectivity a snap.

The Avenger series is both top-quality and affordable in the thermal scope world. The 55XR costs less than $6,000 and the Avenger 40 is around $4,000. And, they come with an industry-leading five-year transferable warranty.

WWR celebrates 25 years of hunting success

Wilson Whitetail & Wingshooting Ranch is celebrating 25 years in business. WWR offers allinclusive, guided hunting for whitetail deer, exotic game, dove and quail in beautiful Frio County in South Texas — one hour south of San Antonio and an easy drive from Houston.

WWR specializes in exclusive, private bookings, catering to a variety of hunting experiences and events. The luxury hunting lodge is fully equipped for entertaining large groups of friends and family or corporate clients.

A well-established and reputable outfitter, WWR has been offering private, all-inclusive, guided hunting since 1998. The exotic game hunts are an excellent way to entertain corporate clients or enjoy a true Texas safari experience.

Self-sustaining exotic herds from around the world flourish in the South Texas Brush Country and climate, growing to record book sizes, with most exotic trophies qualifying for SCI Gold Medal status. From addax antelope and axis to gemsbok, kudu, nilgai, fallow deer, scimitar-horned oryx and more, there’s no need to travel farther than WWR to hunt the trophy of your dreams.

With a fully stocked gourmet kitchen, onsite chef, game room and bedroom suites with private bathrooms, you and your guests will enjoy high-class luxury from the minute you arrive. WWR specializes in exclusive, private bookings, and your group of four or more hunters will have exclusive use of the six-bedroom lodge and ranch during your stay.

And don’t forget about the white-tailed deer, dove and quail. WWR is a wellestablished and reputable operation since 1998, with a long-standing reputation for producing some of the largest typical whitetail bucks in Texas, as well as world-class dove hunting and bobwhite quail hunts. The herd of trophy whitetail deer has produced numerous bucks topping 200 inches, and the current ranch record is a staggering 305 inches!

THERMAL HUNTING

AVENGER 40

WAVE12 384 Sensor

9+ Hour Runtime

MSRP: $4099

AVENGER 55XR

WAVE12 640 Sensor

7+ Hour Runtime

MSRP: $5989

Fusion Thermal Exclusive Features

Micro Click Focus Leave the Collars to the Dogs

Getting your target into focus quickly and easily is a must, and you won’t find a better system than our Micro Click Focus. Our tactile focus knob is conveniently located on top of the front lens, and unlike the dog collar design used by our competitors you won’t need to perform a circus act just to focus your scope. Plus, you’ll always get your best shot as the micro click adjustments put you on the perfect focus point every time.

ARCLIGHT Ultra HD Germanium Lens

High Purity for Maximum Energy

The single most expensive component of a well-crafted thermal is its germanium lens. If you skimp here, you’re not even in the game. Our high purity ArcLight Ultra HD Germanium Lens is the crowning jewel of our technology package. It perfects the task of collecting and funneling infrared energy into the thermal sensor unhindered by distortion. This clean transition results in an infrared energy dump that unleashes the full potential of our WAVE thermal sensor delivering a user experience well beyond expectations.

KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Menu Industry’s Easiest Menu System

We think you’re really going to like our menu; it uses words, English words. Written for Americans by Americans. That’s why we called it KISS. You’ve heard the phrase, and at Fusion Thermal it’s the reason we can make the industry’s boldest statement: Our operating system is so easy to use you’ll likely never read the instructions.

T3 Control System

Don’t Let Your Fingers Get Lost in the Dark

Our highly intuitive three button control system with center tower makes using your scope simple and easy. Every command is at your fingertips, and the Center Tower evenly splits the control panel, so you’ll never be confused about what button you’re going to press. We thought this a particularly good idea since you’ll be using it in the dark most of the time.

WAVE Thermal Sensor

Same Money, Better Performance

Is it possible for one thermal scope to dramatically outperform everything else in its class? Yes, so don’t make the mistake of shopping by specifications alone or you just might get burned. Our WAVE thermal sensors push the limit of what is technically possible and set the standard for image quality, ruggedness, and long life. So, before you plop down your hard-earned cash make sure you do a side-by-side to any similarly priced competitive alternative. We think you’ll find the difference to be clearly obvious.

XGEN Alloy Housing

Plastic is for toys. Metal is for tools. It’s a fact, thermals produce heat, and heat is the enemy of all thermal devices. If you don’t get the heat out operational performance will degrade, and long-term internal damage is a certainty. Our XGEN (Next Generation Alloy Body) shields your expensive investment in a metal clad of armor, and our high-end AL6082 Conductive Structural Alloy displaces heat at an astounding 71,900% better than plastic. You don’t think of your thermal as some cheap plastic toy. Why should it be built like one?

Game-changing simplicity. Industry leading runtime. Onboard video, photo and HD audio recording. Meet the new AVENGER from Fusion Thermal.

Available at fine retailers all across the Great State of Texas